The interior ministry on Thursday directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to investigate, in coordination with Cambridge International Education (CIE), the leaking of the latter’s exam papers.

According to a handout issued by the interior ministry, the development came as Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha chaired a high-level meeting regarding the “alleged leakage of Cambridge examination papers” at the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control.

A day earlier, CIE confirmed the leak of an AS-level Mathematics exam paper held on Tuesday and announced the postponement of another Mathematics paper scheduled for Friday (tomorrow). This was the second such incident it had confirmed during the ongoing session.

However, the statement issued by the ministry mentioned the “alleged leakage of Cambridge O Level Mathematics examination papers”.

Thursday’s meeting was attended by the Education Secretary Nadeem Mahbub, representatives from CIE, NCCIA Director General Syed Khurram Ali, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the British Council and other relevant stakeholders, the ministry said.

According to the statement, Mahbub briefed the participants on “the concerns expressed by the government and parents regarding the alleged leakage of Cambridge O-Level Mathematics examination papers”.

It stated that the British deputy high commissioner informed the participants that “the matter appeared to involve theft rather than an actual paper leak”, while representatives from CIE reiterated that “Cambridge maintains strict standards to ensure transparency and integrity in the conduct of examinations”.

It added that the education secretary also raised concerns regarding reports of “another examination paper leak and sought Cambridge’s official position on the issue in light of the anxiety being faced by students and parents”.

It added that representatives from CIE assured the forum that “an official update in this regard would be shared at the earliest”.

It further said that the interior secretary expressed serious concern “over the alleged leak of examination papers and underscored the need for coordinated and effective measures for the early resolution of the matter”.

“He directed the NCCIA DG to conduct a thorough investigation in coordination with Cambridge. He further emphasised the strict implementation of decisions taken during the meeting and timely sharing of investigation findings to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence,” it said.

“It was also decided that Cambridge would further strengthen its system capacity to address weaknesses and loopholes in the examination process,” the statement concluded.

The CIE, part of Cambridge University Press and Assessment, offers internationally recognised exams to schools in over 160 countries. In Pakistan, O Levels (grades 10-11) cover a broad range of subjects, while A and AS Levels (grades 12-13) are more specialised and advanced, providing pathways to higher education in Pakistan and abroad.

Last month, the AS Level Mathematics exam (9709/12), conducted on April 29, was also subject to similar claims. After conducting a thorough investigation into the matter, CIE said it had reason to believe the claims were not unfounded. A replacement examination for the paper has therefore been scheduled for June 9.

In June last year, the question papers of three AS and A Level examinations were partially leaked across Pakistan.